Wire fabric and method of making the same



De'.2s,1937. R, J GUBA 'y 2,103,919

WIRE FABRIC AND METHOD 0F' MAKING THE SAME Filed May 22, 1936 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR .Raqmnnd T. Buba. A

A OR

Patented Dec. 28, 1937 AND METHOD nor* MAKiNG lTHE SAME WIRE Fininfo PATENT OFFICE p' Raymond J.. 4Guba., Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to lAudubon Wire Cloth Corporation,

Philadell phia, Pa., ay corporation of New Jersey Application May 22, 1936, Serial No. 81,140k

,12 claims. (cl. s45- 6) My invention relates to wire'belt fabric made up of helically coiled wires in interrelated arrangement disposed transversely of the belt fabric, and it comprises an improved type of belt 5 fabric having setsV of rhelically coiled wires of different twist-helically coiled wires of righthand twist alternating with helicallygcoiled wires of left-hand twist-with sets of cross connector wires in what maybe termed independent association with the respective setsv of l helically coiled transversely disposed wires. The cross fwire conknectors are 'crimped,nand the bends of such crimping are so spacedas to be in position for engagement by the oppositely disposed bights of the helices of the respective helically coiled wires.

The ends of the helically coiled wires are positively connected with the ends of the crimped cross connector wires, as by knuckling, and those portions of the latter wires in engagement with the bights of the helically coiled wires of one twist, float through the helices vof the other helically coiled wires. The respective helically coiled wires of different twist arein 'slightly separated condition so that the helices of the sameA may lie in the same plane longitudinally of the belt, and by preference the helices are of material length widthwise of the helically'coiled wires and relatively at. I am thus able to produce a belt of extreme strength and flexibility; one that will track true in passing overdrums or pulleysby reason of the presence of the alternating. wires of different twist; one that will yhave no appreciable stretch longitudinally, and one'that will not contract transversely.

My improved belt structure is, in effect, made up substantially of two fabricsone fabric comprising helically coiled wires of right-hand twist in which the bights of the same are interenf gaged by one set of crimped cross connector wires, 40 and the other fabric comprising helically coiled wires of left-hand twist infwhich thebights of the same are interengaged by the other set of cross connector wires; the respective helically coiled wires of one fabric nesting within the helically coiled wires of the other fabric.

The relation between the helically coiled Awires and the cross connector wires is such that it may be said that the belt; structure is made up of a l A'plurality of sets of units; each unit comprising a 'helically coiled wire and a crimped cross connector wire with their ends connected together; one group of such units including helically coiled wires of right-hand twist, andthe other group including helically coiled wires of ,left-hand'twist. `5 "These and other featuresof my invention are more fully set forth hereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawings, more or less diagrammatic in character, in'which:

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a section of belt fabric within the scope of my '5 invention.

Fig. 2 is anedge View of the same. Fig.'3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line III-III, Fig. l, and

Figs. 4 and 5` are fragmentary views'illustrat- 10 ing runit groups of wires; each group comprising a helically coiled wire and a crimped cross 'connector wire positively connected therewith; Fig. f 4 showing a helically coiled wire of right-hand twist, and Fig.` 5 showing a helically coiled wire 15 of `left-hand twist. f y

Helically coiled wires have long been employed in the manufacture of woven wire fabric and of belt structures available for and used in many industries. made of` helically coiled wires having the same twist. Belts made up of similarly coiled wires in interconnected relation and extending throughout the entire length of the same have a tendencyy to creep laterallyV in passingfaround'the'25 drums or pulleys over which they are stretched and one practice of avoiding-this tendency to creep is to arrange `sectionsof wires of'diiferent twist in alternate relation longitudinally of the belt. In other instances, it hasfbeen proposed'to 30' alternate individual wires of different twist on opposite sides or faces of the belt; the wires of different twist being interwoven together through the fabric, and in other instances it has been proposed to'arrange wires of different twist in alg5 ternating: relation and to connect thesame by cross connector Wires which engage the bights of apair of the directly adjacent wires of different twist; the bights of one helically coiled wirel lying to one side of each cross connector 40 wire, while the bights of the otherV helically coiled wire lie atthe opposite side of thecross connector wire.`

y My improved structure'differs from those heretofore developed in that the bights of the'several 45 helically coiled Awires are independently engaged by cross connector wires-that is to lsay--eac'h helically coiled wire has` a separate cross connector wire engaging the bights of the heliceson opposite sides of the same, and oneof these cross 50 connector wires is positively connected tothe heheauy coiled wire with which it is associated; jthe next cross connector wire engaging the bights of Vthe opposite side at the `first vmentioned helically coiled wire and being posi- In the main, these belts have been 20 tively connected to the next adjacent helically coiled wire of the same twist, and so on throughout the full extent of theV belt. These cross connector rods or wires serve also to reinforce and strengthen the belt fabric. In addition, there is nested in the helically coiled wires of one twist, helically'coiled wires of opposite twist, and the helically'y coiledwire's of this second group are associated with other cross connector wires in the same manner as the rst group.

In order that the helices of the respective hell ically coiled wires may be.. heldin proper posiwires are crimped; the crimps .being spacedfA so as to exactly engage the bightsfofithefhelic'esfof the several helically coiled wires.

The coils of the wires arefquite flat, andithey-gY are much wider from side to side of the helices than between the upper and lower surfaces of* thebelt. Y

InfFig. 1- of. the drawings, I have` illustrated, a plurality of; helically coiled wires of right-hand twist, indicatedfat, l, and aplurality of helicallyV coiled wires. of lefthand twist, indicated at 2., which latter wires are alternately arranged with respect to the wires: I. and have their helices nested..betweenor` within the helices of said lat-V andthe wires 4f engaging ther bightsr2a and. 2b

of the helically` coiled wiresAZ. Y

The end. heliceslc and 2S of the respective wires` I.- and 2 terminate inopposite directions, and such'terminals are in positive engagement withtheends of the cross connector wires-3 and 4; the cross connector wires3l being. connected thereto asbyknuckling theirV ends 3.a at the marginaledgesof the belt structure, to the` ends Ic of'thehelically coiled `wires |while the cross connector wiresf 4 are connected.thereto` as by knuckling their ends 4.a at the marginal edges of the `beltstructure to the ends 2c ofi'the helically coiled'- wires 2. Y Y

Such arrangement, it. willi be observed, provides-'unit elements, each of which. is-madeup ofahelically coiled wire and a cross. connector wire. 'I'hese unit elementsvare illustrated inFigs. 4 and 5; independently of the Vfabric; Fig` 4, showing a helically coiled wire of; Vright-hand twist. connected. to across connector wire 3- the latter being. crimped-and lig.v 5, showing ahelically coiled; wire of left-hand-.twist con.-l

nected to ai. crimped cross connector wire 4. In

each instance, the bights of the helices engageV the` root` portionscfthek crimps. Y These cross connectorv wiresf serve also to strengthen the fabric. Y Y

Y In the formation of the belt, the bights at one side. of the helices ofy eachrhelicallyl coiled wire engage' the crimps of the cross connector wire inspectingY Fig. l. Each .helically coiled wire is .attached-.toa crimpedcross connector wire which engages the, helices at one side of said helically coiledwire. whilethe helicesiatvthe opposite side of said helically coiled wire engage the crimped cross connector wire attached to the next helically coiled wire of the same twist. Each set of the helically coiled wires is similarly arranged.

By reasonY of this arrangement of the helically coiled wires and the cross connector wires, there is present in my improved belt structure what may bez said to-be two independent-belts. The wiresof'di'ffrenttwist nest with one another and, atthe same time, the bights of the respective -helices pass each other and the cross connector wires associatedwith one set of helically coiled tion transversely of the belt jther'eby' preventing any contraction thereof, the cross connectorV wires, iioat through the helices of the other helstructuresareiniassembled relation but without vpositiveconnections between the helically coiled wires-l of? dile'rent twist.

It.is, to be understood that modifications may be made Yin the construction and arrangement off thee several elements of my improved belt structure without departing from the spirit of my invention; all` of. whichisdeemedto4 be within the scope of the appended claims;

.I.- claim: Y V

1.` Abeltfabric made up of a plurality ofv sets ofhelically` coiledwiresiof. right and left twist; the wires of. vone twist alternating withwiresof oppositetwist throughoutthe entire extentofzthe fabric, .and pairs-of cross :connector Ywiresassociatedwith each of said helically coiled wires;` one wire ofeach .pair of saidcross connector wires f being positively attachedto ahelically coiledwire.

d ZLA belt fabric vmade up, ofa plurality of.y sets of helically coiled. wiresfof, right vandlefttwist in nested'relation;.tlie.wires. of one twist alternating with wires .ofoppositetwist throughout theentire extent ofthe-fabriqand pairs ocrossconnector wires independently:associated with each of said helically coiled wires;A one. wire oli-each` pair of said cross connector wires; being attached: atits ends to ahelicallycoiledwire.

3. Abelt fabric madeup `of a pluralitypf sets of.helically coiled .wires offright and left twist; thewires.l 'of one. twist.- alternating with wires-vof opposite twist. throughout theentire extent of thefabric, and crosslconnectorwiresof crimped formation attachedto eacho said helically. coiled wires; eachoisaid. crimped cross connectorwires engagingthebights of` a pair ofhelically coiled .wires of. the samev twist` and holding them in spacedrelation. Y

4. A belt fabricmade up/of aplurality of sets ovfhelically. coiledwiresof right'andleft twist; the wires of one twist alternating; withwires of opposite twist independently` of` each other throughout the Ventireextent of Ythe fabric, and cross connector wires of1crimpediormation attachedtoeach ofsaidzhelically coiled-wires; each oi` said crimped. cross connector wiresv engaging the bights of a pair of.v helicallycoiled wiresrofthe samel twistv and iioatingv throughthe. ,helicesc of the other helically coiledwires; saidcrimped cross connector` wiresholdng the helicallyV coiled wires inspaced. relation transversely ofv the Vbelt fabric.

5. A belt fabric made-up of a. plurality of sets of helically coiled wires of right and left twist in independent relation and. extending transversely of saidbelt, and a plurality of sets of. cross-connector wires passing through the respective bights of said. helically coiled wires; thefrelation ofthe cross connectorY Vwires, with the helically coiled wires being; such Vthat each helicallycoiledwire of one twistrwith an associated cross wire. connector is independent of; the .helically coiled wires vof theothertwist and their crosswire connectors. 75

independent relation and extending transversely of said belt, and a plurality of sets of cross connecto-r wires passing through the respective bights of said helically coiled wires; each of said helically coiled wires having a cross connector wire attached thereto at its ends and the relation of the cross connector wires with the helically coiled wires being such thateach helically coiled wire of one twist with an associated cross wire connector is independent of the helically coiled wires of the other twist and their cross wire connectors.

7. A belt fabric comprising a plurality of sets of helically coiled wires of right and left twist in independent relation and extending transversely of said belt, and a plurality of sets of crimped cross connector wires passing through the respective bights of said helically coiled Wires; said crimped cross connector wires holding the helically coiled wires in spaced relation and the relation of the crimped cross connector` wires with the helically coiled wires being such that each helically coiled wire of one twist with an associated cross wire connector is independent of the helically coiled wires of the other twist and their cross wire connectors.

8. A belt fabric comprising a plurality of sets of helically coiled wires of right and left twist in independent relation and extending transversely of said belt, and a plurality of sets of crimped cross connector wires passing through the respective bights of said helically coiled wires; the relation of the crimped cross connector wires with the helically coiled wires being such that each helically coiled Vwire of one twist with an associated cross wire connector is independent of the helically coiled wires of the other twist and their cross wire connectors, and said crimped cross connector wires engaging the bights of the helically coiled wires at their bends and holding the latter in spaced relation transversely of the belt.

9. The method of forming avbelt fabric structure which consists in arranging helically coiled wires of opposite twists in nested relation; associating cross connector wires with said helically coiled wires in independent relation; a cross connector wire vbeing attached to each of the helically coiled wires, and arranging the cross connector wires attached to one of said helically coiled wires of each twist to float through the helices of the helically coiled wires of opposite twist.

10. The method of forming a belt fabric structure which consists in arranging helically coiled wires of opposite twists in nested relation; the wires of one twist having their helices extending beyond the helices of the wires of opposite twist longitudinally of the belt fabric; associating cross connector wires with eachof said helically coiled wires in independent relation; a cross connector wire being attached to each of thehelically coiled wires, and arranging the cross connector wires attached to said helically coiled wires of each twist to float through the helices of the helically coiled wires of opposite twist.

l1. Th method of forming a belt fabric structure which consists in arranging helically coiledk wires of opposite twists in nested relation; associating cross connector wires of crimped formation with said helically coiled wires in independent relation; each of said crimped cross connector wires being attached to a helically coiled wire,

and arranging the cross connector wires attached Y to each of said helically coiled wires of each twist to float through the helices of the helicallyr coiled wires of opposite twist; the crimped portions of said cross connector wires engaging the bights of the helically coiled wires and maintaining them in fixed position transversely of the belt fabric.

12. The method of forming a belt fabric structure whichconsists in arranging helically coiled wires of opposite twists in nested relation; the.

connector wires attached to one of said helically v coiled wires of each twist to oat through the helices of the helically coiled wires of opposite twist; the crimped portions of said cross connector wires engaging the bights of the helically coiled wires and maintaining them in xed position transversely of the belt fabric.

RAYMOND J. GUBA. 

